Our Oregon Trailhttps://kristikrass.com
Portland through the eyes of a festival-loving, dessert-feasting, travel-addicted Midwesterner.Sat, 17 Mar 2018 06:15:43 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/eac1746334855071d6adda5c4c07b988?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngOur Oregon Trailhttps://kristikrass.com
A 7-Minute History of Our Oregon Adventurehttps://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/a-7-minute-history-of-our-oregon-adventure/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/a-7-minute-history-of-our-oregon-adventure/#commentsThu, 06 Nov 2014 21:24:20 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3762What a better way to cap off “Our Oregon Trail” than the awesome video that our best buds Lindsay and Daniel created for us. They painstakingly waded through all of the pictures on this site and picked some of the best moments from Jeff’s and my 3.5 years in Portland. They also incorporated some phrases that have popped up in my posts. It was so sweet of them to make this for us, but that’s just the kind of friends they are! So here’s our time in Oregon in a nutshell — a very happy, action-packed, beautiful nutshell.

(Click the image above to get to the video on the Stark Photography site, then press play.)

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/a-7-minute-history-of-our-oregon-adventure/feed/2Our Oregon Trail VideokristikrassOur Oregon Trail VideoPDX in the Rearviewhttps://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/pdx-in-the-rearview/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/pdx-in-the-rearview/#commentsThu, 06 Nov 2014 13:26:33 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3704I can’t believe it’s been five months since Jeff, Cooper and I pulled away from our empty Portland apartment and drove across the country to our new home in Grand Rapids, Mich. What?! Five months! That’s almost half of a year! Time flies by achingly fast. It’s so strange to flip from one life — apartment living in a big(ish) city, hanging out with the loveliest mix of friends, both working at Nike, super liberal environment — to another life entirely, with its unique set of benefits and peccadillos. I understand how people avoid major moves, the kind of moves Jeff and I somehow prompt with crazy frequency. We shake up our lives like an Etch A Sketch: What do we want our new normal to be like? When the dust settles, will we be different from the people we were before? It’s a wild and unpredictable ride but I feel blessed to be able to choose that ride and make it the most memorable, fulfilling journey possible.

Our last night in our PDX apartment

Hey, but Grand Rapids has been great to us so far. (I mean, it’s Beer City USA!) We miss our Portland friends for sure, especially our buddies Lindsay and Daniel, but it’s been so satisfying to see our families and Midwest-based friends so often. And we L-O-V-E owning a house. It’s ridiculously fun. I feel very homeowner-y, seizing every opportunity to feather our new nest. I paint. And buy rugs. And trim hedges. And plant flower bulbs. And attend home shows. And take advantage of DTE Energy’s and Consumers Energy’s free energy efficiency audits. I love it. Professionally, Jeff is digging into his job at Herman Miller (yay, employee discount!) and I’m pursuing my own little freelance communications entity. I hope to keep blogging, although I’m not quite sure if it makes sense now that I live closer to the people who I mainly wrote for while I lived in the Pacific Northwest. Anyway, we’ll see what happens with that.

I never got around to posting pictures from some of our goodbye get-togethers with co-workers, bowling teammates and friends in Portland — or our road trip across 11 states. Our five-day trek included overnights in Kalispell, Montana; Billings, Montana; Murdo, South Dakota (not recommended); and Chicago, Illinois. We were awed by the beauty of Idaho and Montana, explored the grandeur of the half of Glacier National Park that wasn’t snowed in (in June!), made the obligatory stop at Mount Rushmore, and caught the nearly deserted Badlands National Park as the sun danced across its majestic buttes and spires just before sunset. We also ate the most disgusting pizza EVER — which I never thought was possible — a late-night pepperoni pizza in the tiny town of Murdo. A “signature” pizza with a cinnamon crust and icing for dipping. Pepperoni + cinnamon = throw that pizza in the trash. Along with the garlic bread that was more garlic-y than straight-up chomping a clove of garlic. That hit the trash can as well, and we went to bed hungry. Anyway, we also got to spend a couple of days in Chicago with Rob, Amy and Ben, and we got the chance to meet our friends’ cute-as-a-button little girl, Marley. Our road trip culminated in Michigan with the closing on our house in West Michigan.

So here’s a less-than-stellar compilation of the handful of iPhone photos that escaped the sudden death of my picture-packed external hard drive. (Grr.)

Here’s to new adventures and forever friends!

Sad but sweet cake from Kristen and friends

The many faces of Thunderballs

Dinner at Jeff’s boss’ house with his team

This old place saw some good times

Goodbye, Northrup apartment.

Our road trip route

Goodbye, our beloved Mt. Hood

I think Cooper loves road trips more than Jeff and me

Entering Glacier National Park in Montana — eek!

The gorgeous, mirror-like Lake McDonald just off Going-to-the-Sun Road (what a lovely name!) in Glacier National Park

A footbridge crossing McDonald Creek in Glacier

The beautiful riverbed in Glacier National Park

Looking back at Glacier and the ridiculous views of Montana

Mount Rushmore!

…and our mugs in front of it.

Apparently Thomas Jefferson invented vanilla ice cream — who knew?

I see you peeking around the corner, George Washington.

A handy coffee guide at a shop in Mitchell, South Dakota

My buddies for 40-plus hours in the Jeep

Enjoying the beauty of Badlands National Park in South Dakota

More Badlands

…and more Badlands…

…and more…

(Can you tell we loved the Badlands?)

Cooper picked up a new friend at a gas station

Hello, pretty city! We missed you, Chicago.

Our little nephew Ben, Cooper and a hairy leg (not mine)

Aunt Kristi and Uncle Jeff taking Ben for a little ride on the L

Getting to meet little miss Marley in Chicago

Welcome home!

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/11/06/pdx-in-the-rearview/feed/1IMG_0050kristikrassOur last night in our PDX apartmentSad but sweet cake from Kristen and friendsThe many faces of ThunderballsDinner at Jeff's boss' house with his teamThis old place saw some good timesGoodbye, Northrup apartment.Our road trip routeGoodbye, our beloved Mt. HoodI think Cooper loves road trips more than Jeff and meEntering Glacier National Park in Montana — eek!The gorgeous, mirror-like Lake McDonald just off Going-to-the-Sun Road (what a lovely name!) in Glacier National ParkA footbridge crossing McDonald Creek in GlacierThe beautiful riverbed in Glacier National ParkLooking back at Glacier and the ridiculous views of MontanaMount Rushmore! ...and our mugs in front of it.Apparently Thomas Jefferson invented vanilla ice cream — who knew?I see you peeking around the corner, George Washington.A handy coffee guide at a shop in Mitchell, S.D.My buddies for 40-plus hours in the JeepEnjoying the beauty of Badlands National Park in South DakotaMore Badlands...and more Badlands......and more...(Can you tell we loved the Badlands?)Cooper picked up a new friend at a gas stationHello, pretty city! We missed you, Chicago.Our little nephew Ben, Cooper and a hairy leg (not mine)Aunt Kristi and Uncle Jeff taking Ben for a little ride on the LGetting to meet little miss Marley in ChicagoWelcome home!Goodbye for Now, Oregon Coasthttps://kristikrass.com/2014/05/26/goodbye-for-now-oregon-coast/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/05/26/goodbye-for-now-oregon-coast/#commentsMon, 26 May 2014 17:30:11 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3558Jeff and I are moving. Let’s just throw it out there, otherwise it’d be the big white elephant in this post. We made the (super hard) decision to leave our beloved Portland, leave our rad Nike jobs, leave our amazing West Coast friends, and embark on a new adventure in Grand Rapids, Mich., starting next month. I’m in a state of mild shock, I believe, despite the mountain of moving boxes that have accumulated in our apartment, and despite the fact that we’re halfway through the process of purchasing our very own colonial-style home outside downtown G.R. Jeff starts his new gig at Herman Miller on June 16, and I need to figure out what the Michigan version of me will do for a living. We’re excited to live smack dab in the center of our dear families in Mid-Michigan, Brighton area and Chicago, and who wouldn’t love having the option to buy Michigan State football season tickets or a Detroit Tigers 12-game flex plan. It’s a happy new life; it just comes with a bit of heart-stabbing pain from closing the chapter of our life that we’ve loved the most.

Soaking in the sunset

Our best pals and across-the-hall neighbors, Lindsay and Daniel, have played a major role in our PDX adventure, which is quite obvious from their frequent appearances on this blog. The four of us decided to squeeze in one last Oregon coast weekend before Jeff and I move 2,000-plus miles from the salty Pacific Ocean. We rented a roomy rental house a block from the Manzanita beach, and the five of us (including Cooper) met up on a Friday night for a leisurely 48 hours in the adorable little beach town.

We totally lucked out, because the weather for the entire weekend was gorgeous. The Oregon coast weather is a fickle beast, yet we managed to get sun, sun, sun. We took several long strolls down the quiet shore as Cooper gleefully bounded along and wet his paws in the crashing surf. We ate in and ate out, grabbing drinks and decadent chili cheese fries at the San Dune Pub and pastries and coffees at Bread and Ocean Bakery. We played Scattergories and discussed business ideas and drank Oregon beer. We also built our first-ever bonfire on the beach, which apparently is totally legal. On Saturday night, the four of us grabbed a pie at Marzano’s and firewood at Manzanita Grocery and Deli, and constructed a small fire on the sand. It’s hard to think of a more relaxing activity than sitting around a beach bonfire with friends and watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. Wouldn’t it be amazing to actually live near the ocean and get to do that anytime?

We headed home on Sunday, with sand in our shoes and suitcases and happy memories in our hearts. The countdown is on: less than two weeks to pack in lots more great times in Oregon.

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/05/26/goodbye-for-now-oregon-coast/feed/2Good times *kristikrassSoaking in the sunsetOur home for the weekendFirst things first: a champagne toastThe incredible Manzanita beach sunset just a block from our houseDaniel and Lindsay on the breezy Friday eveningGood morning, beautiful beach!Relaxing on the rocks *Buddies. *One happy dogWas that a stick I saw?Exciting times checking out the crazy washed-up itemsHopping across the rocksBeers and fries at the San Dune PubGood grief. *The fab foursome on our balconyTime for beach pizza!Snuggling StarksCozy in Converse *Group photo!Getting ready to pose for a couple sunset pics with our photog friends *Happy kids *Trying my hand with the HasselbladLindsay is taking my picture......and here I am, taking their picture! *SerenityGood times *The spectacular sunset...and the perfect place to watch itMore sun on Sunday morningA stick for me? Crabby we won't be back to the coast for a whileFootball-mania in Madridhttps://kristikrass.com/2014/04/27/football-mania-in-madrid/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/27/football-mania-in-madrid/#commentsMon, 28 Apr 2014 03:18:57 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3505I’m kicking myself once more. After spending a handful of days in breathtaking Barcelona last month and returning with barely any photos to show for it, I swore I’d snap more shots when I visited Madrid on April 21-26. How can I go anywhere in Europe – which I love to pieces and firmly feel like everyone should get a chance to visit – and not take a million pics of the sights? Especially in the hometown of my old Brussels-based friend, Marta? Welp, I now realize work trips = I’m too distracted to remember to take photos, no matter how beautiful the place.

Lunching in a sea of Spanish wine

An awesome Nike Football (Soccer) event brought me to Spain’s capital city, where I oversaw two employees who won the opportunity to report on the launch of the Mercurial Superfly football boots (which included an appearance from Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo, the face of the Mercurial), the “Winner Stays” campaign, and a media summit to share Nike’s full collection of World Cup 2014 products. Two of my teammates joined me, so we had a crew of five that stuck together from early morning to…early morning. (I saw 2 a.m. more times in the past week than I have in the last two years.) We were surrounded by football, starting with our arrival at the Eurostars Madrid Tower, where we realized we shared our hotel with Chelsea F.C., who was in town for a Champions League game. We also grabbed dinner one night at the Real Café Bernabéu, a restaurant inside the Real Madrid stadium that overlooked the world-famous football pitch. (It was amazing.) We spent the majority of our time at the Salón de Reinos (“Hall of the Kingdoms”), the 17th century palace that hosted the two days of Nike Football events. Our only non-football activity was a ride to the Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple that was rebuilt in Madrid in the ’70s, for a video shoot.

After four full days in Spain, I hopped a 6 a.m. flight back to Portland yesterday and celebrated my return with a delicious Indian supper club meal with Jeff, Lindsay and Daniel. The four of us dined on cuisine from chef Leena Ezekiel‘s home state of Assam, India, and shared our BYOB wine with our chatty table-mates. (And I ate goat for the first time! Sorry, Aunt Roxanne.) From Spain to Portland to India, all in one day!

My work crew at Templo de Debod

Behind the scenes at our first video shoot in Madrid

Dinner at the Real Madrid stadium, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

One night before the Champions League match

The outside of the famous stadium

Getting ready for the Mercurial launch to begin in the beautiful Salón de Reinos

Lindsay and Daniel at the Thali Supper Club at the DinDin space

Chef Leena Ezekiel introducing the meal

Our menu for the night

These two are trouble (photo by Stark Photography)

Serious eating.

Supper club laughs (pic by Stark Photography)

Happy (pic by Stark Photography)

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/27/football-mania-in-madrid/feed/1IMG_2592kristikrassLunching in a sea of Spanish wineMy work crew at Templo de DebodBehind the scenes at our first video shoot in MadridDinner at the Real Madrid stadium, Santiago Bernabéu StadiumOne night before the Champions League matchThe outside of the famous stadiumGetting ready for the Mercurial launch to begin in the beautiful second floor of the Salón de ReinosLindsay and Daniel at the Thali Supper Club at the DinDin spaceChef Leena Ezekiel introducing the mealOur menu for the nightThese two are troubleSerious eating.Supper club laughsHappy ((pic by Stark Photography)Hiking the Horsetailhttps://kristikrass.com/2014/04/20/hiking-the-horsetail/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/20/hiking-the-horsetail/#commentsMon, 21 Apr 2014 01:36:57 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3530When Jeff and I asked Lindsay and Daniel to join us on a day trip to Hood River to use our soon-to-expire $50 Full Sail Brewing gift certificate, they had two great suggestions: start with a hike in the Columbia River Gorge, and grab a taco pie at Pietro’s Pizza. Done and done!

The Horsetail Falls view from the road

We began the drizzly Saturday before Easter at the Horsetail Falls Loop Hike, which might be my new favorite Oregon hike. Park the car, and boom: already treated to the trail’s namesake falls. Don’t even need to work for it! The four of us climbed the switchbacks surrounded by moss-cloaked walls, gangly alien-like trees, and peeks of the Columbia River. In less than a half of a mile, there’s another reward: the Ponytail Falls. The trail cuts behind the falls into a rocky cavern, and when you look around, all you see is lush greenery and rushing mountain runoff. We creeped down to the pooling water and marveled at the force of the falls. Along the way, Lindsay, Daniel and I snapped pics with our cameras, including their cool, old-timey-looking Hasselblad. We hiked a bit farther before deciding to turn around and head to Hood River for Daniel’s favorite taco pizza.

Daniel grew up in Hood River, which Jeff and I visited in May 2011 and July 2012, so he’s our resident expert for where to go in the river town. Our first stop was Pietro’s for the taco pizza Daniel and his fam would eat decades ago. It lived up to the hype, with the crumbled Doritos delivering the perfect crunch to the medley of beef, bean, lettuce and cheese. After a couple other stops we made our way to Full Sail, where we enjoyed pints and dessert to cap off our little jaunt in the Gorge. Pints, pizza and waterfalls? Perfection.

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/20/hiking-the-horsetail/feed/1gorgehike-7-2kristikrassThe Horsetail Falls view from the roadHiking (and drinking...and eating) buddies! My mountain manPerched in a gnarled, mossy treeThe Ponytail Falls around the bendThe view from inside the cavernMe checking out the fallsDaniel and Lindsay venturing down to the waterDaniel peering up at the falls from the pool underneathThe sun trying to peek throughGreen all around...including here!Jeff in the treesMy Hasselblad lessonWorked up an appetiteNow that's a gorgeous pizzaAnd we destroyed it.The draft Coors Light that just wasn't cutting it...and our pints to close our adventure.A Doggie Decadehttps://kristikrass.com/2014/04/10/a-doggie-decade/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/10/a-doggie-decade/#commentsFri, 11 Apr 2014 03:48:21 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3499Happy 10th birthday, Cooper! Double-digits. He made it. One year ago I thought he’d never see this day. He’s rockin’ it, still cheerful, still chomping down on lots of meds and expensive grain-free grub every day, but overall he’s pretty darn healthy. He’s also a happy camper since he got two walks today and a surprise birthday package from his human and kitty buddies across the hall.

I must say, he looks especially fluffy (euphemism for “getting a little chubby”) in these pics because we just gave him a bath at Unleashed. That outing is a perfect example of his condition nowadays: We walked into the store, and while I paid the cashier and collected the basket of bath supplies, out of the blue Coop squatted and pooped inside the store. Gotta love that big tumor in his backside. Somehow he holds it together inside our apartment, but walks outside are full of sudden stops: in the crosswalk of a busy road, in a flower bed, outside our apartment front door – plenty of cringe-worthy moments in front of fellow pedestrians. But here’s to another year of awkward times with our cancer-fighting pup!

A present for me? I love my neighbors!

All smiles!

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/04/10/a-doggie-decade/feed/1All smiles!kristikrassA present for me? I love my neighbors!All smiles!A Leisurely Walk Through PDXhttps://kristikrass.com/2014/03/29/a-leisurely-walk-through-pdx/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/03/29/a-leisurely-walk-through-pdx/#commentsSat, 29 Mar 2014 17:57:02 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3476It was March 23. Clear blue skies, sunny with a high of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Jeff was gone for the day, shredding down Mt. Hood, squeezing in one more snowboarding session this season. Me, I used the quiet Sunday for my favorite Portland activity: strolling (admittedly, to food and drink spots).

Have I mentioned how much I adore the walkability of PDX? This time around, I knew I’d be gone for hours and popping in and out of places, so unfortunately Cooper couldn’t tag along. (Yes, Coop is still hanging in there! He’s doing well and continues to surprise his oncologist.) I set out in my lightweight jacket, Nike aviators and crossbody bag, and walked.

Apparently a lot of other people had the same idea. A few blocks away, I crossed paths with my friend Mike B., who was out on a coffee stroll. A few blocks later, there’s Stephen, headed to the grocery store to buy cookie-baking supplies. Stephen recommended that I veer toward the riverfront, where the cherry trees were in full blossom mode. I gladly obliged, but not without a trip to a bakery first.

Lovejoy Bakers is one of my all-time fave spots in Portland. The Pearl District hangout ensnared Jeff and me in their awesomeness during our first month in Portland, when our corporate housing apartment was just across the road. Their Lovejoy Deluxe sandwich, with its oozy blue cheese, fried egg, thick-cut bacon, tarragon-dressed frisee, and ciabatta roll, is breakfast perfection. Again, there were many people with the same idea as me, and Lovejoy’s line to order was at least 20 people deep. I kept walking.

Coffee-sippers at outdoor tables lured me down the block, where I found the Christopher David Experience Design. Coffee shop, flower shop, interior design shop, all in one. How oddly amazing! The space delivers a bit of sensory overload (in a good way): artfully-designed displays of furnishings and gifts, the scent of flowers interlaced with fresh espresso, a quiet buzz from patrons at the cluster of tables, sunlight streaming in the floor-to-ceiling windows. A residential and commercial design firm linked up with a florist and a Water Avenue Coffee alum to create the place, which opened in fall 2013. I promptly classified it as one of my happy places.

Portland sign peeking out from behind the trees

Chai tea latte in hand, I headed to the waterfront. The 36-acre Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park stretches along the west side of the Willamette River, and the park’s paved esplanade is constantly dotted with joggers, walkers, bikers, skateboarders, and definitely its share of, let’s say, “transient folks.” The park includes a Japanese American Historical Plaza memorial, and to its north, 100 ornamental cherry trees. Which were in maximum white-blossomed glory. Under the flowered canopy, couples snapped selfies, families picnicked, and walkers like me soaked in the beauty of the springy scene.

I continued my stroll down the esplanade to the Portland Saturday Market, the city’s largest outdoor arts and craft market. (And yes, the Saturday Market is open on Saturday and Sunday.) More than 250 booths of local artisans cover the park and spill into downtown, and there are tie-dyed shirts, paintings, carnival food, hula-hoopers, and trinkets galore. It sounds totally up my alley, but I’ve never gotten into it. In fact, I walked right by two different elephant ear booths, totally unfazed.

After a couple stops at my downtown shopping staples, I needed some sustenance. Even though Little Big Burger was calling my name, I escaped into the just-opened Garden Bar Salad Co. across from the famous Powell’s City of Books. Portland’s first restaurant dedicated to made-to-order salads, Garden Bar offers an overwhelming array of greens, veggies, dressings and other salad components, most of them locally-sourced. Supposedly the guy behind Davis Street Tavern teamed up with a fitness instructor to create the place. Bottom line: The workers were helpful as could be, and my design-my-own salad was delicious. And HUGE. A half of an avocado, blue cheese vinaigrette, spring greens, seasoned bagel chips, bacon lardons, chicken breast…oh mama. Even better, they sold my fave Portland Juice Co. drinks! Love, love, love this place.

Back in my ‘hood, I swung through the recently-opened BARISTA coffee shop on 23rd for my first-ever visit. A (predictably) bearded man took my order, and I settled into the dark-wooded, hipster-y shop and enjoyed my espresso for a few moments. I never liked espresso until Portland. Or sushi. But it’s extra good here, so when in Rome…

After several hours of Portland exploration and 3,000 NikeFuel on my Nike+ FuelBand SE Silver, I arrived home, where Cooper, my landlords Kim and Travis (who just returned from a once-in-lifetime trip to Africa and Europe), and I lounged on our sunlit front steps and welcomed Jeff home from his day in the snow.

Portlanders chilling outside Christopher David

Mixing coffee, flowers and interior design – brilliant!

The more interior design-y side of the Christopher David shop

Cherry trees + Steel Bridge = so pretty!

Strolling through the trees

The esplanade along Willamette River

The zany Portland Saturday Market

Guys creating monster bubbles near the Portland Saturday Market

More big bubbles!

The new Garden Bar in the Pearl District

So darn good. Garden Bar deliciousness.

Snagging an espresso at BARISTA on 23rd

The beauty around every corner in my neighborhood

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/03/29/a-leisurely-walk-through-pdx/feed/2Strolling through the treeskristikrassPortland sign peeking out from behind the cherry treesPortlanders chilling outside of Christopher DavidMixing coffee, flowers and interior design - brilliant!The more interior design side of the Christopher David shopCherry trees + Steel Bridge = so pretty!Strolling through the treesThe esplanade along Willamette RiverThe zany Portland Saturday MarketGuys creating monster bubbles near the Portland Saturday MarketBig bubbles!The new Garden Bar in the Pearl DistrictSo darn good. Garden Bar deliciousness.Snagging an espresso at BARISTA on 23rdThe beauty around every corner in my neighborhood‘Zona, ‘Lona and Homehttps://kristikrass.com/2014/03/16/zona-lona-and-home/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/03/16/zona-lona-and-home/#commentsSun, 16 Mar 2014 19:40:27 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3431The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Jeff and I spent a long weekend in Arizona with the Krass fam, I buzzed through Barcelona for a work trip, and now we’re back in PDX, where spring is just blowing up. This place is flower-rama, pollen and spores and all kind of things billowing into the air. Apparently, according to the ear, nose and throat doc I visited last week, I’ve developed allergies during my last three years in this crazy lush environment. (And he informed me I also have a crooked nose, most likely as a result of my rough-and-tumble cheerleading days.) Dammit.

Sun setting against the rocky horizon

So Arizona. Ah, how I love our Arizona trips. Pure relaxation. Jeff and I try to squeeze in a quick jaunt to the Grand Canyon State every spring. This time, we met up with Rob, Amy and baby Ben, and of course, Jeff’s parents who live there during the winter months. We packed in a visit to Fountain Hills’ Great Fair, a little spa time and pool play at the heavenly CopperWynd Resort and Club, quality time with our Arizona cousins Phil and Lindsay and their families (including Lindsay’s adorable newborn Lexi), fireside drinks at the Lowrys’ gorgeous place, and a delish dinner at Cowboy Ciao in downtown Scottsdale.

Shortly after, I was off to Barcelona for a quick three-day trip to help launch the Nike Magista football boot. I absolutely adore that city, ever since my fabulous honeymoon there in August 2009. This time around, my work teammates and I stayed at the swanky Hotel Arts Barcelona overlooking the Mediterranean, and spent a good chunk of our days at the Disseny Hub museum, where the launch event was held with F.C. Barcelona footballer Andrés Iniesta and hundreds of global media in attendance. My job was to manage our employee reporter, Amsterdam-based but Italian-born Marco, who won the opportunity to cover the event for the 53,000 NIKE, Inc. employees worldwide. My boss Claudine, videographer teammate Bill, Marco and I had a great time together. In our less-than-72 hours in the Catalan city, we paid a visit to La Masia, F.C. Barcelona’s football training facilities; we interviewed NIKE, Inc. president and CEO Mark Parker; we enjoyed late-night video editing binges in Bill’s hotel room; we ate heavenly vegetarian paella on the beach in sunny 60-degree weather; Claudine and I stayed up ’til 4 a.m. at the neighboring Casino Barcelona before our 6:10 a.m. flight home…good times with a great crew. (And I’m kicking myself I didn’t take more pictures along the way!)

And here we are, back in Portland. I think we need another trip on the books. Maybe Michigan? (Please tell me the temps have climbed back above zero.)

Spring is in full swing in Portland

Amy, Chris and Ben out for a stroll through the Great Fair in Fountain Hills

The enthusiastic mascot for the dog hat booth at the Great Fair

The fountain in Fountain Hills

Proud grandma (aka Bacci)

There’s Chris and Bob’s place across the way from the Lowrys’ house!

Ben’s first bonfire

Lexi and Maggie, our cutie-pie kids of cousins

Ben’s second dip in the pool (he looks thrilled)

Rob and Jeff checking out their new little cousin, Lexi

My first javelina sighting in Arizona

The Arizona landscape as seen from CopperWynd Resort

The CopperWynd pool, where we’ve spent countless hours over the years

How can you not smile at that cute kid in the mirror?

Bill and Marco ready to start reporting in Barcelona

A sea of journalists at the Magista launch event

A bullseye of beautiful boots

The Torre Agbar, the 38-story tower near Disseny Hub

Barcelona selfie!

Panoramic view from my hotel room window

Pristine training field at La Masia

Our last video interview of our Barcelona trip

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/03/16/zona-lona-and-home/feed/1CoverPhotokristikrassSun setting against the rocky horizonSpring is in full swing in PortlandAmy, Chris and Ben out for a stroll through the Great FairThe enthusiastic mascot for the dog hat booth at the Great FairThe fountain in Fountain HillsGround grandma (aka Bacci)There's Chris and Bob's place way over there!Ben's first bonfireLexi and Maggie, our cutie-pie kids of cousinsBen's second dip in the pool (he looks thrilled)Rob and Jeff checking out their new little cousin, LexiMy first javelina sighting in ArizonaThe Arizona landscape as seen from CopperWynd ResortThe CopperWynd pool, where we've spent countless hours over the yearsHow can you not smile at that cute kid in the mirror?Bill and Marco ready to start reportingA sea of journalists at the Magista launch eventA bullseye of beautiful bootsThe Torre Agbar, the 38-story tower near Disseny HubBarcelona selfie!Panoramic view from my hotel room windowPristine training field at La MasiaOur last video interview of the tripSnowlandia 2014https://kristikrass.com/2014/02/10/snowlandia-2014/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/02/10/snowlandia-2014/#respondMon, 10 Feb 2014 16:34:38 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3401This past weekend, I witnessed the city of Portland turn into crazytown. People swarmed the streets, corporations shut down, iPhones blared emergency alarms, and public transportation ground to a halt.

Winter finally hit the City of Roses.

Three storms swept through the Portland metro area last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and they dumped inches of snow and ice in their paths.

What’s so unusual about a little winter precipitation, you say?

First, Portland rarely gets this kind of weather. Jeff and I have lived in Portland for almost 38 months and we’ve never seen anything close to this. We’ve barely seen a dusting of snow until now.

Second, because of the scarcity of snow and infrequent freezing temps, Portland doesn’t have the infrastructure to address snow-caked roads and sidewalks. The Portland Bureau of Transportation has just a limited fleet of plows, and doesn’t use rock salt because of environmental concerns. Few residents (or businesses, for that matter) shovel their sidewalks. And there are hills! Lots of icy, slippery, woodsy hills! So when it snows six or so inches, it just sits there, sloshes around, ices up, and makes it darn hard to get around.

Warming up at McMenamins Taver

You could feel the excitement in the air on Thursday evening, the first night of the snowpocalypse. Nike released local employees early, so Jeff and I came home and promptly invited Daniel and Lindsay to some snowstorm brews at the cozy Lompoc Tavern a few blocks away. The place was jammed with rosy-cheeked locals buzzing about the storm. After a round we trudged a block to McMenamins Tavern and Pool, which was equally slammed. We sipped whiskey drinks with our pints before frolicking through the snow on our walk home.

On Friday: snow day! Nike and a gazillion other places shut down for the day. More snow. Quick dinner at The Rams Head – one of few places open – and a grocery mini-run to Trader Joe’s. The rest of the weekend was equally quiet for me (Jeff had a little trip) while the rest of the city rejoiced and took full advantage of the empty roads and snow-blanketed scenery.

The Oregonianshared video of jubilant Portlanders using saucers, inflatable mattresses and other makeshift sleds to slide down the Chapman School hill, just around the corner from our place.

But sadly, the Worst Day of the Year Ride, which Jeff and I tackled in 2012, actually got canceled because Feb. 9 finally lived up to its moniker as, indeed, the worst weather day of the year in Portland.

I also need to share this video, which my friend Josh from Indianapolis posted on Facebook yesterday. This gives a sense of the streets around here this weekend (runners and skiers galore) and the residents’ (semi-crazy) embrace of the snow. (These two are wearing ultra-reflective Nike Flash Pack jackets, by the way. )

Feeling a little cagey, I escaped downtown on Sunday to survey the scene despite the several jarring emergency alerts that unexpectedly rang from my phone throughout the day. Plenty of people strolled the sloppy sidewalks, although few businesses were actually open. I was more than happy to support Anthropologie and the Pearl District Starbucks, which were both operating with limited hours.

Today, it’s back to work but at a delayed start time of 10 a.m. Schools are still out; rain (maybe freezing?) is coming down; the streets are still a slushy, crusted mess; but there’s normalcy on the horizon: 50-degree temperatures later this week. And an Arizona getaway next week. Sayonara, snow, it’s been fun!

Let it snow! Hiking to 23rd Street on Thursday evening

Enjoying our first big snow in Portland

Daniel and Lindsay among the snowflakes…

…and they’re looking at me making my first snow angel in a good decade or so

Venturing out for dinner on Friday evening…

…and we pass a monkey hat-wearing skier on our road

The icy, drooping bamboo in our backyard

The view out our front door on Sunday morning

Emergency alerts on our iPhones on Sunday!

No Nordstrom today

The ice can’t muffle Portland’s bright greens

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/02/10/snowlandia-2014/feed/0Let it snow! Hiking to 23rd Street on Thursday eveningkristikrassWarming up at McMenamins TaverLet it snow! Hiking to 23rd Street on Thursday eveningEnjoying our first big snow in PortlandDaniel and Lindsay among the snowflakes...and they're looking at me making my first snow angel in a good decade or soVenturing out for dinner on Friday evening...and we pass a monkey hat-wearing skier on our roadThe icy, drooping bamboo in our backyard The view out our front door on Sunday morningEmergency alerts on our iPhones on Sunday!No Nordstrom today :(The ice can't muffle Portland's bright greensBend with My Brohttps://kristikrass.com/2014/01/27/bend-with-my-bro/
https://kristikrass.com/2014/01/27/bend-with-my-bro/#commentsMon, 27 Jan 2014 16:36:56 +0000http://kristikrass.com/?p=3357My little brother. He is the rare bird who deliberately chooses February to visit us in Portland. The reason: the snow-capped mountains beckoning for snowboarders. Dave last visited exactly two years ago, and we covered a LOT of ground in a few days. This time we had a whole Tuesday-to-Tuesday to explore new places.

Dave is our kind of guy: He loves his breweries and food. We kicked off his trip with a night at beer haven Apex, a pizza dinner at the Stumptown Coffee founder’s Roman Candle Baking Co., and a night cap at Balls the Cat’s Moonshine Kitchen & Lounge. Dave squeezed in a solo snowboarding trip to Mt. Hood while Jeff and I slaved away at work on Thursday. Friday night, Lindsay and Daniel joined us for a night out at our new fave Tilt (“handcrafted food built for the American workforce”) and Low Brow Lounge.

A quick detour to Multnomah Falls

Then it was off to Bend, Oregon, for a long MLK, Jr. Day weekend! The Central Oregon city, located three hours from Portland, is one of the coolest escapes we’ve visited in the Northwest. It’s home to Mt. Bachelor and the sixth largest ski resort in the country, high-desert terrain, 17 breweries, the gorgeous Deschutes River (and the original Deschutes Brewery), and enough mountain biking trails and outdoor activities to keep any Oregonian busy for days. Lindsay and Daniel first introduced us to the city when L’s mom and step-dad lived there. We’ve been looking for a great excuse to go back, and Dave provided it.

On our drive past waterfalls, fog-cloaked hills and miles of evergreens, we stopped at Smith Rock State Park, which blows my mind at every glance. The park encompasses 651 acres of welded tuff (aka compressed volcanic ash) that juts 550 feet from the already 3,000 feet of elevation of the plateau. It’s incredible, and Jeff and I absolutely need to come back someday and hike through it instead of just stare at it for 30 minutes and leave. There’s an amazing little cafe just down the road from it, too – the Terrebonne Depot – where Dave ate his No. 1 meal from the entire trip: the South of Central Oregon Burger.

Jeff and I rented a little dog-friendly house in downtown Bend through Flipkey.com, and the three of us promptly ditched our gear (and Cooper) upon arrival and walked to McMenamins Old St. Francis School to catch the last 30 minutes of the High Gravity Extravaganza beer festival. Similar to the McMenamins Kennedy School in PDX, St. Francis is a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse-turned-eclectic hotel, complete with pubs, brewery, movie theater and soaking pool. Over the weekend, I even bounced around St. Francis on my own when the guys were snowboarding, and I scored my first prize through the new McMenamins Passport program (with which Jeff and I are slightly obsessed). Our absolute favorite spot on the property: O’Kanes Whiskey and Cigar Bar, which to me resembles a cross between an old chapel and something out of a Hobbit movie.

Dave on the mountain

Of course, we made it a point to check out the other local breweries, including the buzzy 10 Barrel Brewing Co. and the recently-remodeled Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House. Lindsay and Daniel, knowing us well, recommended the hole-in-the-wall local joint D & D Bar and Grill, where we grabbed tasty Bloody Marys and watched football. Dave also tasted his first real Thai meal at Noi Thai Cuisine, where we dined on crispy spring roles, pad thai, panang curry and knock-your-socks-off crispy garlic chicken.

But what our Bend trip centered on was Mt. Bachelor, which boasts the highest skiable elevation in Oregon and Washington at 9,065 feet, and a whopping 387 inches of average annual snowfall. Jeff and Dave snowboarded all Sunday as I putzed around the town, but on Monday Cooper and I joined them and I went dog-sledding! It was ridiculously fun. I snuggled into my one-person sled, the pack of eight (super enthusiastic) dogs took off, and my guide, Jerry, entertained me with everything I could ever want to know about dog-sledding. I found out he’s been in the sport for 35 years, started a major dog-sledding race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and his daughter is the first legally blind person to complete the Iditarod. After my ride I lounged in the ski lodge, sipped chai tea and read the latest book from IDEO and Stanford Design School founder David Kelley and his brother, Tom. Perfect.

Early the next morning, Dave jumped a plane back to Michigan and it was back to work for Jeff and me. Thank you for visiting, Dave! It’s always great to get my family and friends out here for a bit.

Dave experiencing his first Thai meal (which looks like a pile of crap in this pic) at Noi

The ride up to Mt. Bachelor

Chillin’ in the back of the Jeep at Mt. Bachelor

The guys ready to shred

The crowds of skiers and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor on MLK, Jr. Day

My dog-sledding posse

My chariot awaits

Let’s do this again sometime!

Goodbye, pretty mountains!

]]>https://kristikrass.com/2014/01/27/bend-with-my-bro/feed/1Me and my little bro!kristikrassA quick detour to Multnomah FallsDave on the mountainGrabbing our shears and cutting some pizza at Roman Candle Baking Co.Patriotic ping-pong at Tilt Daniel, Jeff and Dave toasting at TiltCooper enjoying the ride to BendAlways a pleasure.A thick sheet of fog shrouding the hillsJuxtaposition of golden fields and a snowy Mt. Jefferson peakJeff and Dave admiring Smith RockThis place is amazing!Celebrating the beer fest at McMenamins St. Francis SchoolMe and my little bro!Mirror Pond on Deschutes River: the inspiration for my fave Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery Someone made sure these ducks are ready for winterAt the top of the worldA very happy snowboarderA post-snowboarding drink at the dive-y D&DI think Cooper misses a backyardDave experiencing his first Thai meal at NoiThe ride up to Mt. BachelorChillin' in the back of the Jeep at Mt. BachelorThe guys ready to shredThe crowds of skiers and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor on MLK, Jr. Day My dog-sledding posseMy chariot awaitsLet's do this again sometime!Goodbye, pretty mountains!gA snippet of my dog-sledding adventureA snippet of my dog-sledding adventure